Press release

RSM, the 6th largest global network in audit, accounting, and consulting, carried out the financial and tax buy-side due diligences for Simone SpA, an Italian company operating in the publishing sector and listed on Euronext Growth Milan, during the acquisition of a majority stake in Éditions MeMo, an independent publishing house based in Nantes, recognized for the quality and innovation of its youth publications.

Simone SpA was supported by a Franco-Italian RSM team, under the supervision of Eric Fougedoire, Cécile Guyot, and Francesco Sperti, RSM partners.

Throught this transaction, RSM’s Corporate Finance division demonstrates its ability to support European companies in their build-up strategies.

Paris 10 octobre 2025
Official press release from Simone SpA

Simone S.p.A. (“Simone” or the “Company”), a company operating in the publishing sector and listed on Euronext Growth Milan, announces the acquisition of a majority stake in the prestigious French publishing house Éditions Mémo, an independent company based in Nantes, internationally recognized for the quality and innovation of its youth publications.

The French company achieved revenue of approximately €730,000 in the last fiscal year and a normalized EBITDA close to breakeven, while offering growth prospects through synergies within the group.

Specifically, Simone signed a preliminary agreement with the two individual shareholders, Christine Morault and Yves Mestrallet, and another preliminary agreement with Harmonia Mundi Livre S.A. for the acquisition of approximately 29.40% and 25.04% of Éditions Mémo’s share capital, respectively.

As part of the transaction, it is also planned that: (i) Simone will subscribe to a capital increase of Éditions Mémo, allowing it to hold 67.9% of the share capital; and (ii) a “put & call” agreement will be signed at closing, providing, on the one hand, the right for Simone to acquire, within 48 months following the closing, the remaining stake held by Christine Morault and Yves Mestrallet in Éditions Mémo’s share capital, and, on the other hand, the right for Christine Morault and Yves Mestrallet to sell to Simone, within 36 months following the closing, their stake in Éditions Mémo’s share capital.

The transaction closing is expected by the end of October.
With this transaction, which is not material under issuer regulations, including in terms of transaction value, the Simone Editorial Group consolidates its growth and internationalization strategy in the youth and young adult publishing sector, strengthening its presence in a culturally strategic market such as France. The entry into Éditions Mémo also represents an important step in diversifying the catalogue and enhancing youth publishing.

This extraordinary financial transaction marks a concrete first step for Simone in its internationalization process, initiated with the mid-2025 acquisition of Topipittori S.r.l., an Italian publishing house specializing in illustrated books for children and young adults, already present in several foreign markets. This brings to three the number of active youth publishing brands: in addition to Éditions Mémo and Topipittori S.r.l., Gatto Verde Edizioni S.r.l., a brand created in 2023 within the Group, which has already achieved significant national recognition in just two years.

“The acquisition of Éditions Mémo allows us to combine the strength and experience of the Simone Group with the creativity and excellence of a publishing house recognized for its originality and the quality of its graphic design,” said Luca Misso, Chairman of the Simone Editorial Group.

“We are confident that this synergy will open new growth opportunities, strengthening cultural dialogue between Italy and France and promoting books as a tool for development and knowledge.”

Éditions Mémo’s editorial management will continue to operate independently, retaining its own identity while benefiting from Simone Group’s strategic, organizational, and distribution support.

“This transaction confirms Simone Group’s commitment to investing in valuable publishing projects and contributing to the promotion of culture from an international perspective,” concluded Luca Misso.